Brand new stock Filco keycaps feeling incredibly sticky-stuttering

[F u r u y á]

Finally I have decided to take the Camo out of the box and started to use it.

I was previously using the PLU with POM ultra smooth slippery keycaps.


Now Filco keycaps are feeling a bit bad. My finger can't slide among the keycaps anymore, now it keeps sticking. I'll try to describe it with words (audio/video would be much better):

   - Take a very clean piece of polished flat glass (aka your glass table top)

- Now try to slide your (clean) fingers against it.

- Result: stuttering-sticky effect with associated noise.



If my description was good enough, now you know how I'm feeling about the brand new stock Filco keycaps. I can't type as smoothly and as fast as before. Stuttering-sticky effect is annoying!

For me PBT or POM is a must (for practical reasons!)


(On another note, the brand new MX Brown with no O'Rings is feeling VERY good, the tactile feedback is subtle and accurate)

[IvanIvanovich]

I know exactly what you mean. I used a set of Cherry POM keys on one of my boards for awhile. They do have an oddly pleasing smooth 'greasy' feel. Don't have the PLU anymore to swap caps with?

[Daniel Beardsmore]

I am not sure why your fingers would be sliding along the keycaps when typing, but I find my Filco stock keycaps to feel very greasy – someone suggested that the coating soaks up skin oil. I get the stuttery-finger feel with keys I never use (such as F4 and insert) so I presume that once you've used the keyboard more, you'll lubricate the keycaps. I don't slide my fingers across the keycaps though, so I don't have a problem with keys that see very little use, and Filco keycaps from new feel nicer than the sandpapery surface texture of whatever is used by Topre, Unicomp and Matias.

As for the glass surface test – some laptop trackpads are too smooth, and I get the stuttery-finger problem with those. I wonder if it depends on skin chemistry/makeup – is it normal for all your skin to become so rough when wet that just touching it feels horrid? Either way, laptop makers don't seem to test any of their designs any more.

[limmy]

See here for coefficient of friction for average ABS, PBT, POM.

Coefficient of friction (reference2)
ABS: approx. 0.35
PBT: approx. 0.25
POM: approx. 0.21
Note - This figure has been approximated from a chart in reference2.

POM is the most slippery material and most durable in terms of wear from friction.

If the key caps are coated that it would be a different story though.

However, I know that the matte finish coatings do not wear off for some people but does wear off relatively quickly for others. I have been using Razer Mamba for more than 3 years but I didn't have the coating issue, but I see some cases where the finish were damaged after some time.

[F u r u y á]

Don't have the PLU anymore to swap caps with?

Yes I have. I have Cherry PBT also, I'm just too lazy to replace every keycap, I'll do that later if this issue becomes unbearable.

I am not sure why your fingers would be sliding along the keycaps when typing

Sliding your fingers helps you to type fast. When two consecutive keys is to be hit with the same finger, I slide my finger through the keycaps.

See here for coefficient of friction for average ABS, PBT, POM.

Very nice, thanks for sharing. Objective evidences ftw!

[F u r u y á]

Don't have the PLU anymore to swap caps with?

Yes I have. I have Cherry PBT also, I'm just too lazy to replace every keycap, I'll do that later if this issue becomes unbearable.

I've put the Cherry PBTs the laziest way possible (only respected row profile). But now it's just a bit better. Maybe this PBT is a bit worn out already?




PS: Someone please make a Autohotkey script to reassign the Fn key in the Camo (left Windows key in other keyboards) back to Windows key? I use one handed Windows+D a lot and I'm missing it.

[F u r u y á]

Won't work.  Hardwired at controller level.

Damn.

[andrewpsy]

I read your post about two days ago and didn't know what you were talking about.
Now, I do!
I've just cleaned my keyboard(Filco Ninja 104 Brown, shinning and sticky, my first Filco) like usual with a piece of Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipe.
http://www.amazon.com/Zeiss-Pre-Moistened-Lens-Cloths-Wipes/dp/B0030E4UIQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337678484&sr=8-2

Usually, keycaps dries immediately then it becomes smooth and not sticky again but NOT THIS TIME: the keycaps feel exactly like what you've described.
It's been a while now it's getting better but still feel like that.

[andrewpsy]

Technically it's the gecko effect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_der_Waals_force

http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/10/09/us-nano-glue-idUSN0942431020081009?sp=true

You are probably right.
I don't have sweaty fingers but they were wet after using the wipe that night.
I guess the direct contact with the wipe changed(never happened before) my finger condition thus the Geoko Effect.